VINEYARD HAVEN, MA. - Ellen (Reidy) Wetherbee, 88, a resident of the Henrietta Brewer House in Vineyard Haven, died peacefully on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 following a brief illness
Ellen was born in Laconia, N.H., on July 29, 1926, to Timothy P. and Anna (Fitzgerald) Reidy. Ellen grew up in Laconia, graduated from Laconia High School, and went on to receive her nursing degree from the Laconia Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. Ellen’s early career included a nursing position at Dartmouth College Health Services in Hanover, N.H., followed by several years at the Manchester VA Hospital in Manchester, N.H. Ellen was an operating room nurse, and it was there that she met her future husband, H. Parker Wetherbee, an orthopedic surgeon. Ellen and Parker were married in 1966, and moved to Mountaintop, Pa., when Parker took a position at the VA Hospital in Wilkes-Barre.
During this time, Ellen’s creative talents blossomed, and she was known by many for her gardening skill and the beautiful grounds of the home she lovingly cared for. She also became an accomplished seamstress, making countless custom draperies and slipcovers, a talent she shared throughout her life with family members and friends in need of decor assistance. After Parker’s death in 1969, Ellen returned to Laconia and became an active member of the community. She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, volunteered at the Laconia Hospital, and served on the board of the Taylor Home for several years. She was an avid tennis and golf enthusiast, and was greatly loved by her many friends and extended family.
Ellen’s final years were spent living on Martha’s Vineyard with her sister, Geraldine Cronig, until Gerry’s death in 2013, and then at Henrietta Brewer House.
Ellen is survived by her niece, Kathleen Sollitto, and her husband Joseph of Oak Bluffs; two nephews, Charles Davis Jr. and his wife Norma Brambilla of Pacific Grove, Calif., and Mark Davis and his wife Carola DeRoy of Richmond, Calif.; six grandnieces and -nephews: Elizabeth Taylor, of Essex, Conn., Kara Taylor of West Tisbury, Cole and Martha Davis of Pacific Grove, Calif., and Sarah Cupp and Aaron Davis of Moline, Ill.; and five great-greatnieces and -nephews. Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Dr. H. Parker Wetherbee, and her sister Geraldine (Davis) Cronig.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at St. Andre Bessette Parish - St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, PO Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or a charity of one’s choice.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.